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Friend of woman, 22, accidentally shot by Orlando officer speaks out

ORLANDO, Fla. - WFTV spoke to the best friend of a woman accidentally shot and killed by an Orlando police officer.

Family and friends of Maria Godinez said they’re trying to make sense of her death.

The 22-year-old Cocoa woman was caught in the crossfire at Vixen Bar in downtown Orlando early Tuesday morning, when an officer shot at a man who was allegedly reaching for a gun.

“The last thing I hear her say was, ‘He shot me,’” said Godinez’s best friend, Shila Miles. “I feel like the cops used excessive force. They didn’t have to shoot nine shots. Especially when there’s a door right behind you and there are people inside.”

Officer Eduardo Sanguino fired the shots while trying to take down Kody Roach, according to Chief John Mina.

Roach and another officer also were hit by bullets, but survived.

“I think his gun should be taken away from him,” said Claudia Ramwshwar, a family friend of Godinez.

Police were responding to calls that Roach was at the Vixen Bar threatening bouncers with a gun.

“One of the girls went up to the bouncer was like, ‘He has a gun in his waistband,’” Miles said.

Miles said just before Vixen patrons realized Roach was armed, they saw the 23-year-old acting belligerently.

“Just acting crazy. He probably looked like the most drunk person in there,” she said.

Godinez’s relatives said they’re still too upset to talk.

“It’s a void in all our lives, everyone that knew her,” Rameshwar said.

Murder and weapons charges are pending against Roach.

Sanguino and another officer are on routine leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates.